Biotechnology

Low Shear Mixing in Cell Culture Fermentation

Biophex Presentation

ASC Presents at Biophex/InterPhex 2002, titled "Fermenter Mixing Evaluation Using Computational Fluid Dynamics".

Abstract: Cell culture fermentation is at the heart of many biotech manufacturing processes, and the quality of that environment can have an effect on the health of the culture and the eventual yield. One factor that has a large influence on the cell culture environment is the agitation method.

Effective agitation will keep the cells in suspension and quickly distribute added liquids and gases throughout the vessel, but will not create excessive shear stresses that could cause cell death. Processes that achieve these goals on a pilot scale will not necessarily work as effectively on a production scale due to hydrodynamic scaling laws.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) provides an opportunity to evaluate the flow patterns, mixing rates, turbulence, and stresses within a cell culture vessel. Design and/or process modifications can also be evaluated using these CFD techniques, eliminating the cost, time, and production delays associated with physical trials.

A comparison is made between predicted base addition response results and physical test results. An impeller modeling technique long with a numerically rigorous scalar transport scheme provides accurate results. Response at the pH meter location is shown to be very sensitive to the base addition location.

Click here to download a PDF version (1.5 MB) of the full article.